Church Pitfalls (Part 2)

Bob Franquiz, guest blogger:

#2 – An Unclear Vision – Churches that aren’t sure why they exist tend to simply find out what another church’s passion is and adopt that as their vision. The problem with trying to take someone else’s vision is the same problem with as trying to date another man’s wife: she’s already taken.

Taking another church’s vision and mission doesn’t help you because it’s not the mission God has empowered you to do. So you will spend your life struggling to accomplish something God has never called you to.

The solution to an unclear vision is to spend time with the only One who gives vision: God. Ask God to give you a burden and a passion and let that be what guides your ministry. James 1:5 says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God. Nothing is better than functioning out of a sense of knowing that God has called you and what He has called you to.
If you’re interested is hearing about some other Church Planting Pitfalls, check out this resource Nelson Searcy and I did on the subject. If you’re a church planter interested in coaching, click here to be part of my new tele-coaching network exclusively for church planters! I have a couple of spots left.

Church Pitfalls (Part 1)

Bob Franquiz, guest blogger:

Monday Proflections – November 3, 2008

I’ll be criss-crossing the country this week between NY, CA and FL.  Here’s what’s happening that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I’ll be in the office very early today as I’m sending over the final draft of my next book to my new publisher (Baker Books) before 10am today.  The book is about the evangelism system and using big days to break growth barriers.  More on that later.

Tuesday- Kerrick and I are heading to San Diego on the official airline of The Journey Church – JetBlue! We have exit row seats (very exciting) and will be working on sermons for December and January on our flight out.  Keep the blue chips coming; we’ve got sermons to write!

Wednesday – San Diego today. I’m meeting with a potential church planting partner and hosting a dinner for my tele-coaching guys who are in town for tomorrow’s conference.

Thursday- I’ll be teaching at the National Outreach Conference today. If you are around, stop in and say hello.  My topic is Assimilation.  Got a late flight out of San Diego to Florida.

Friday-  I’ll be in Florida today for a private event.  I’ll also be making some initial decision today regarding my live coaching networks in NYC and Tampa.  Have you sent in your application yet?  Click here to learn more.

Other than some long flights in some small airplane seats, its going to be a great week.  Hope it is for you too!

Nelson

Managing Wealth

Today I’m co-teaching a message entitled “How Do I Manage Wealth?” at The Journey – Manhattan. This is the first time I’ve ever addressed the subject of wealth.  Should be fun.  I’m co-teaching with Adam Bishop, our Groups Pastor (for some thoughts on co-teaching, click here).

In part of the sermon, I reference www.GlobalRichList.com – if you think your salary is too low, check out this eye-opening site.

After the 1:00pm service I’m hosting a newcomers reception (read more about the strategy behind this by clicking here).  We are expecting about 75 newcomers.  Should be fun!

All in all, I’m expecting a great day!  Hope its a great day at your church.

Off to the first service!

Nelson

Church Growth – A Saturday Thought

There is no formula for church growth but there is a formula for stagnation and decline and it is: inactivity.